MY READING LIST

September was a much better month reading-wise.  After struggling through the book on Henry VIII for the entire month of August, I was able to finally finish it.

YOUNG HENRY:  THE RISE OF HENRY VIII
by Robert Hutchinson
Published 2011

It was well worth the read, but I am glad to finally have something that is moving along a bit quicker.  I think if I hadn't read the book about the Romanovs (which was also a slow read) right before this book I would have enjoyed it more.  I did learn a lot though, so I consider it good.  Any time I can add to my knowledge I am happy.



THE ENDLESS STEPPE:  GROWING UP IN SIBERIA
by Esther Hautzig
Published 1968

 This book brings back good memories of my childhood.  I remember my sister reading this book and loving it.  She talked me into reading it and I loved it too.  I haven't read this since I was in high school over 40 years ago.  I thought I would like to read it again since I remembered almost nothing about it.  I am so glad I did.  It is the true story of a Polish family that was relocated to Siberia in 1941 for being "capitalists" in a Communist world.  They were not wealthy, but compared to the people in Siberia they seemed to be almost royalty.  So many hard and sad things happened to them.  But it has a happy ending.  And it was a fast read!


BELOW STAIRS:  THE CLASSIC KITCHEN MAID'S MEMOIR THAT INSPIRED UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS AND DOWNTON ABBEY
by Margaret Powell
Published:  1968

How delightful this book was.  It is a memoir of Margaret Langtry Powell who was a kitchen maid and then a cook in London in the early 1900s.  You really do feel as if you are in Upstairs, Downstairs as you read it.  What a hard life these men and women lived.  They were almost slaves in the household they were attached to.  I whizzed through this book in no time not only because it was an easy read but because it was so interesting.  I highly recommend it.


Now on to another book for October.

MOVIE MONDAY -- GOD'S NOT DEAD

I thought this was a fantastic movie.  I waited so long to see it and was afraid I would be disappointed.  I wasn't.

The story is of Josh Wheaton (played by Shane Harper).  He is a college freshman who seems to have it all.  He has a girlfriend of six years and a promising career with his major in pre-law.  He needs one philosophy course to fulfill a requirement, and that class is with Professor Radisson (played by Kevin Sorbo).  Radisson is a passionate atheist, so much so that he requires all his students to write "God Is Dead" on a piece of paper or defend the existence of a God.  Josh, who is a Christian, cannot write "God Is Dead".  This not only brings about Radisson's anger, but makes this generally quiet young man take a stand for this faith.  His girlfriend is dead set against this, and she dumps him over this.  Josh, however, dives deeper into defending the existence of God.

We have some other subplots that tie into this.  There is Ayisha (Hadeel Situ), a Muslim girl who covers up her face to please her father, but whom we discover is actually a Christian convert.  Once her father finds out, he promptly (though not without some remorse) throws her out of the house.  There is Martin Yip (Paul Kwo), another of Radisson's students, who is from a well-connected Chinese family and finds Josh's defense of a god (let alone God made Flesh in Christ Jesus) fascinating.  There is Amy Ryan (Tricia LaFache), a humanist reporter who holds believers in contempt.  Of particular disdain is Willie and Korie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame, whom she ambushes as they are about to attend Worship Services.

Their lives all interconnect in various ways.  Amy's boyfriend, Mark (Dean Cain) dumps her when he finds out she has cancer.  Mark's mother is suffering from dementia, and he'd rather not deal with anything connected to human emotion.  His sister Mina (Cory Oliver) happens to be Radisson's girlfriend and a Christian too (much to Radisson's displeasure).  Both Josh and Mina have as their pastor one Pastor Dave (David A.R. White), who keeps trying to get away for a holiday with his missionary friend but every vehicle he encounters keeps stalling on him.

Divine intervention, perhaps?

In any case, Josh is able to successfully argue his case, we learn where Radisson's hatred towards God comes from, Martin comes to accept Christ, Mina learns that the love of Christ is enough to validate her and leaves Radisson, Amy comes to terms to both her cancer and her own anger at God, culminating in a Newsboys concert where all these stories come together.

So that's it in a nutshell.  I ended up crying through the last third of the movie.  It has a surprise (to me) ending.

Please watch it if you can.  You won't regret it.  If you already have watched it, what did you think?

Kathy

2ND ANNUAL COMMUNITY HARVEST DAY

I had such a wonderful day today.  It was the Second Annual Community Harvest Day at the church I attend.  We have been planning it for months.   It was well worth all the planning because it was fantastic!

I missed the First Annual last year because I was in the hospital.  I remember how sick I was.  I never want to go through that again!

But today was great!  I took an apple pie to Fellowship Time this morning.  Joe wasn't feeling good and although he tried to get to worship service, I talked him into staying in bed so that he could get to the activities this afternoon.

The Praise Band was really good this morning.  It consists of Bud our pianist, Caity on vocals, Jon and Pastor Justin on the guitars and Joe on the drums.

After church we went and picked up the soft pretzels we were taking over for the gathering tonight and dropped them off at church.  Then stopped and got lunch.  We had just a few hours to rest then it was back to church for Harvest Day.  

It started at 5:00 p.m. and lasted till about 7:30 p.m.  Even though Joe was feeling dizzy and almost fell, he felt he could make it over there.  So off we went.

This is the craft table.  We had face paints, gimp to make bracelets or keychains, and stained glass painting.

Joe and Joe

Peter and Pastor Justin lighting the fire.

Bud on the grill.  Later his wife Karen took over.

Joe and Rich, two of the four Elders.

Krystal, Genny, Dottie and Caity.  A lot of us, me included, wore our church T-shirts.  It let the visitors know we were part of the church and could ask us questions or get help if they needed it.

Bud left the grill for the keyboard.  He is in a band called Boris Garcia.  I asked if I had to pay the band royalties for using his picture and he said yes.  Ha, ha!  As if!

Here's Miss A.  She had a great time!

Miss A and her mom.

 At this point Joe began staggering around and losing his balance.  I had to take him home.  He wanted to stay so badly, but there was no way.  I went back for the rest of the time.

The kids were playing ball.

The Alston family.

Jim got his face painted.  The beginning...

...the middle...

...and the finished product.  Jim the cat.

There was live music.

Jon

The kids made s'mores at the firepit.

Little Kate got a ladybug on her cheek.  The antenae had gems on the end.

Joe has a great voice.  He did a mini concert that had us on our feet, clapping our hands, singing along and dancing.

Peter and Krystal

A great fire to end the evening.

At the very end when just about everyone had left, Jon sat by himself playing some classical guitar.  It was wonderful.  So mellow.

Except for Joe being sick, it was an absolutely wonderful day.

Kathy

SUNDAY PRAISE -- KING OF GLORY

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.  Psalm 24:1


King of Glory by Third Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqo-adRyM_k

A WORKING SATURDAY

If I had to work on a Saturday, today was not all that bad.  It was very quiet.  Such a change from last week.

Sheila was our librarian today.  It was so good to work with her again.  We always got along so good.  She's still working at her knitting.  I think I have to get back to mine now that the weather is getting cooler.

It was a beautiful day today.  It felt just like summer -- up in the 80s.  Quite a change from yesterday when it was so cold in the house I put on our first fire.

Even Snowy was cuddling up to me.  I just love her odd eyes.

We watched the movie "God Is Not Dead" last night.  What a wonderful movie.  Every one should see it.  I'm going to do a Movie Monday post on it next week.  But if you have a chance to see it, please do.

I finished another book today and started on the next one.  At least this month I am going through books quickly.  I hate spending a whole month on one book.

Well, got to get going to bed.  Tomorrow is a big day.  Fellowship Time at 10:00 a.m., Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. and Harvest Day at 5:00 p.m.  I'll be taking lots of pictures and telling you all about it.  I'm so excited.

Until later....

Good Night!

Kathy
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Today's weather:
Sunny
High:  84 degrees
Low:  59 degrees
Sunrise:  6:53 a.m.
Sunset:  6:49 p.m.
11 hours and 56 minutes of daylight 

LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER DAY OFF

This truly is an easy work week for me.  Since I am working this Saturday, I have Friday off.  And it's pay week.  Whoo hoo!  Of course you know that as soon as the money comes in so do the bills.  So I look at my check and know that in a week or so I'll be down to bare bones.  As my grandmother always used to say, "It's not a sin to be poor, but it sure is inconvenient."

It's been really busy at work lately.  At least there aren't too many "problem" people.  In fact, we've been having some very nice customers come in that it's a pleasure to talk with.  That makes the day go so much faster and easier.  My main problem is not enough time to get everything done that I need to do.

I have decided that today besides running to do grocery shopping and going to the bank, I am going to attack the living room.  I want to get my fall decorations up.  I have a whole carton of them.   I'm excited to get things looking like fall. Then I will be taking lots of pictures to show you.

I got talked into being in charge of the Children's Craft table at the Harvest Day Celebration at church on Sunday.  We have a ton of gimp and I haven't the foggiest how to use it.  I know we can use it to string beads and make bracelets or necklaces but there is a way to weave it to make things like bracelets and keychains.  So I went online and printed out instructions.  That is what else I will be doing today:  trying to figure out how to use gimp!
 
I am loving the pictures of the shore that I have been finding on facebook.  We are looking at houses down there as a possible place to retire, but all we have found is too expensive.  We will keep looking though.  We are not sure where God is leading us so we are looking in several different places.  We will know when it is right.

So here are my Ocean City, NJ pictures of the day:

Heavy rain, horizontal flags and storm surf as a coastal storm visits on Thursday morning.

But look at the change for Friday:

The sun is out and the surf is up!

 Have a good day!

Kathy
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Today's weather
 Sunny
Predicted high:  77 degrees
Predicted low:  57 degrees (which is what it is right now)
Sunrise:  6:52 a.m.
Sunset:  6:51 p.m.
11 hours and 59 minutes of daylight
Today should be the first day of Autumn in Philly!     

A DAY OFF

I took today off to take Joe to a funeral for a childhood friend of his.  But not only did he get sick with terrible allergies, but I woke up with my right knee so swollen and painful I was having trouble walking.  There is no way I could have driven.  So I ended up spending much of the day on the sofa with my leg up.

I did make some sugar cookies for Bible Study tonight.  I wanted to make maple leaves, but could only find the cookie cutter for the oak leaf.  Oh well, that's what we got.  They turned out really good.  I love sugar cookies.  One of the boys in Youth Group told me they were the best cookies he had ever had!  Wow!

Three people showed up for Bible Study tonight (besides Joe and me that is).  I thought that was pretty good for the first week.  Four kids showed up for Youth Group.  Again, a good turn out.  I think this is going to be such a good thing for our church.  First weeks of a new thing is always hard.  You have to learn the personalities of the people involved and get into a rhythm.

Our Discipleship Bible Study:  Carol, Genny, Joe, me and Joe.

 

IGNITE Youth Group:  Pastor Justin leading a discussion.

So it's back to work tomorrow.  I hope it isn't too bad of a day.  But it's only one day and then I have off on Friday because I'm working Saturday.  It's not going to be too bad of a week.

I wanted to show you another picture of Ocean City.  Isn't this a great shot?  I love the sky.  This is the Music Pier.  It is always my landmark.  We stay in a motel which is a block off of the boardwalk and the Music Pier is where we turn to get there.  I wonder how they got the boardwalk so empty.

Cloudy but dry on Wednesday ahead of storm that arrives later this evening.

Even though I've done very little today I am beat.  I'm going to go.  Until later...

THE FIRST DAY OF FALL

 

HAPPY TUESDAY!

38 days until Halloween
65 days until Thanksgiving Day
93 days until Christmas Day
100 days until New Years Day

Welcome Fall!  It felt like it too.  Still warm, but with a touch of coolness in the air.  I'm really enjoying this weather.  I still haven't had to wear a jacket, but it's not sweltering either.  Nice!

I want to thank everyone who has been looking at my new blog and following it.  I already have a lot of recipes in draft form just waiting to be tweaked and published.  I'm having a lot of fun with it and I hope you are too.

I've been so tired today.  I really have to get more sleep.  But at least it wasn't too busy at work.  It was nice.  I still didn't get everything done but I will eventually.

I am taking tomorrow off as a personal day in order to go to a funeral with Joe.  One of his childhood friends passed away.  He really wanted to go to the service, but didn't have a way to get there because it is outside the city.  So I will go with him.

Tomorrow night Joe is teaching his first Discipleship Bible Study.  He has been studying so hard for this.  I typed up his handouts for him like a good little secretary... uh... I mean wife.  *wink*  I hope he has a lot of people show up.  I know at least two will be there.   At the same time the pastor is beginning a Youth Group.  We are hoping the kids will come for Youth Group and the parents will show up for the Bible Study.  That would be cool.

 Here's a picture from one of my favorite places:  Ocean City, NJ.  I follow Ocean City on facebook and they post the most beautiful pictures of the shore.  How I wish I were there!

Chilly morning on the first day of fall and the ocean dipped just under 70 overnight.

Well now that I've rambled on about a lot of nothing I think I will go to bed.  Six thirty comes quickly.  Until later....

Kathy

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Today's weather

Partly cloudy

High:  72 degrees

Low:  56 degrees

Nice!

Sunrise:  6:49 a.m.

Sunset:  6:56 p.m.

12 hours and 7 minutes of daylight 

THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER

Just where did this summer go?  It seems as if it was just snowing and now the beautiful warm weather is going away again.  I love summer and I didn't enjoy it nearly enough.

I do enjoy the fall, though.  All the colors, cooler weather, great food newly harvested.  I get such a cozy, homey feeling this time of year.

Speaking of food, I started a new blog this morning.  After trying to find various recipes among my many posts, I decided to create a cooking blog where everything would be in one place.  You can find it at this link: Cooking For My Friends.   It is going to be lots of easy and good recipes and I hope you will check it out and perhaps follow it.  I think you will like it.  Especially when you have no idea what to have for dinner or make for that potluck supper.  Tell your friends, please.

It was back to work today and although we were busy, it wasn't overwhelming.  Just a few glitches that were easily taken care of.  Our Area Administrator came to visit today and brought a box of soft pretzels for us.  So nice.  I like Angela a lot.  She is such a doll.  The first time we met it was as if we had known each other forever.  She told me that I would most likely be getting three new employees to supervise.  I don't know what to do with a whole staff!

Well, I have to run and get ready for tomorrow.  Bible Study day.  We are on Acts 17 -- Paul preaching in Athens about the altar to the Unknown God.  It's going to be a good lesson.

Until later....

Kathy
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Today's weather:
 Mostly cloudy
High:  72 degrees
Low:  50 degrees
Sunrise:  6:48 a.m.
Sunset:  6:57 p.m.
12 hours and 9 minutes of daylight   

SUNDAY PRAISE -- HALLELUJAH (YOUR LOVE IS AMAZING)

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.  Romans 15:7 (NLT)

Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing) by Phillips, Craig and Dean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWT3Hd6WqE0 

 

FIRST SATURDAY BACK

HAPPY SATURDAY!

41 days until Halloween
68 days until Thanksgiving Day
96 days until Christmas Day
103 days until New Years Day

This was the first Saturday of the fall/winter/spring season of work.  We will be open every Saturday now until next June.  And after today I'm thinking I would like to be home every Saturday.

The library assistant supervisor and the guard from Fishtown were at our branch today.  Just as we go to Fishtown Branch on Fridays, they come to us on Saturday.  I was late getting there because I had to go to the bank, so they were very surprised to see me.  They didn't expect me to show up.  The guard and I do not get along.  And that is putting it mildly.  She was so angry that I was there.  I just didn't talk to her all day, avoided her as much as possible, and we got along fine.  I just keep remembering the verse in Romans 12:18 that says: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  So I did.

I got a lot of work done today.  It's good to have a day to catch up.

This afternoon there was a huge fight in the library.  I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I do know it involved a group of girls bullying another girl, her saying she wished she were dead, and a couple of mothers punching each other.  People!

After work Diane had to go to Home Depot and since it is on the way home, I drove her.  I was almost home when I got a phone call from Joe.  He said that Diane had just called him and said she had left her keys in work.  Could I take her back?  I called her and told her to wait for me, got Joe to go with me, and headed back to Home Depot.  Sure enough, there she was.  We went back to work, she went in, got her keys, and then I drove her home.  What a time!  But at least it all ended well.

On the way home we stopped at Rite Aid for Joe to buy a few things.  When we came out there was an old Ford in the parking lot and people were taking pictures of it.  We walked over to see it.  It was an 1919 Ford.  The owner spoke to us for a few minutes and let me take pictures.  I haven't downloaded them yet, so I will show them to you for this week's Friday View.  It was really cool and put a nice end to the day.

I'm heading to bed now.  It's going to be a long day tomorrow.  Lots to do.  Good night everyone.

 Kathy
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Weather for Saturday, September 20
Partly cloudy
High:  80 degrees
Low:  67 degrees
(Nice day!)
Sunrise:  6:46 a.m.
Sunset:  7:01 p.m.
12 hours and 15 minutes of daylight   

FRIDAY VIEW

I am working tomorrow so I had today off.  After all the driving I did yesterday I just sort of laid low today.  I'm so tired that I just keep falling asleep.

The one thing I did do was run to the store to buy the items for lunch on Sunday.  There is another Elders' Meeting and I volunteered to bring lunch.  I am making ground turkey and pasta shells in tomato sauce on Saturday night and putting it in the crockpot.  Then on Sunday all I have to do is heat it up while the church service is going on.

When we got home last night, Joe decided to go to his book club.  I dropped him off and then went to Payless to get some new shoes.  I took a long time and must have tried on every pair in my size.  My left foot is swollen and painful from my arthritis, so I always have to buy the shoes for that foot.  It's hard to find something that doesn't hurt.  But I found two pair that were perfect.  One is a brown leather oxford.  Really cute.  And the other is a black and white plaid canvas pull on with a sneaker-type sole.  It is not what I would ordinarily buy, but I have been wearing them today and they feel like bedroom slippers.  Really comfy.

So for your Friday View today I am using some pictures from the son of one of my friends.  My friend, Carole, used to live in Philly.  In fact her father was my pastor at one point and she was one of my Sunday School students.  She now lives in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.  Her oldest son, Stephen, also grew up in Philly.  He brought his wife and son here to visit family and see his old neighborhood.  He took magnificent pictures and I asked if I could use them, giving him credit, of course.  He said yes.  So here is the city of Philadelphia as seen through the lens of Stephen Kruckow.

The Philly Skyline

Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell

The Art Museum

The left wing of the Art Museum

The right wing of the Art Museum

The Art Museum and the Water Works

The Schyulkill River by the Art Museum

One of the many murals in Philly.  We are known for our murals everywhere.  This one is on Spring Garden Street and represents all the performing arts.

Thanks, Stephen, for letting me use your great shots.

Kathy